Work hard and follow your dreams but never forget where you came from - Vanessa Hudgens American Actress
So many people go through life standing tall in terms of their huge achievements and yet remain large trees with their roots in the ground. Two of the many such iconic personalities are the world-renowned entrepreneur Bill gates the father of Microsoft and Amitabh Bachchan the great Bollywood actor and mahanayak of the century. They have gone through life standing tall but never allowed their name, fame and adulation to get detached from their roots. They remain committed to their culture and traditions. They are conscious of where they come from.
There is a tipping story about Bill Gates, perhaps apocryphal, but widely told that when he tipped the waiter who served him in a restaurant with a 5$, he noticed strange expressions on the waiter's face. It baffled Bill Gates. He asked the waiter what happened. The Waiter said, Sir "I'm just amazed because on the same table the other day your son gave a tip of 500$, and you his father, the richest man in the world gave only 5$." Gate's reply to this, was , "He is the son of the world's richest man, but I am the son of a wood cutter. Gates Reply flags a message, always remember where you come from and Never forget your past!" and it forms the essence of root. It is display of humility at its best.
( Bill Gates Bio mentions his father was an attorney and at some other place it is mentioned it was his daughter not son who tipped $500)
In any case desired message of being grounded to your roots is conveyed.
And here is another icon Amitabh Bachchan who says work does not tire him, his audience give courage, command and direction to him. In the present era the pedestal on which parents were placed with awe and respect reserved exclusively for God is weakening day by day. Respecting parents is now considered old fashioned. The trend is I will do my way. But it is not Amitabh Bachchan way. He always respected his parents and their views. His parent's views for him were like divine edict.
It is said that he wanted to go to England with Jaya before marriage but his father advised him to get married and then go and Amitabh did obey him. In one of his blogs - he mentioned that he always sought strength from his mother and wisdom from his father. This is in fact being true to one's tradition and culture. That's being grounded to one's roots and Sanskars.
I am staunch advocate of never being detached from one's roots I always remember my roots and where I come from as I believe my roots are the foundation of my present life. They gave strength to my wings to fly to the present I am in. They are my inspiration and strength.
These roots taught me the values of humility, honesty, gratitude, compassion, togetherness, and simplicity et al. They taught me how to remain focused on continuing my journey even if there is darkness or there is dim light on the road .Throughout my student days I studied under the dim light of kerosene fueled lantern. It has helped me to keep my feet on grounds.
In this regard the remark of John J Mark, Co- CEO Credit Suisse is so apt. He says - we usually think of advice as something that someone tells us. But I learned my most valuable lessons in life by example, by watching people around me both when I was growing up and when I was trying to stay true, in my business career, to values they taught me, yes if there is one piece of advice that has been important to me, it is "Always remember where you come from"
Successful people never forget their roots. They are proud of where they came from. They are willing to share their wisdom and their wealth.
Live like you are at the bottom even if you are at the top. Don't forget your roots For me it has been a nudge to always remember where I come from and to live with humility and gratitude in my actions no matter where life takes me .
Remembering roots reminds us of not only where we came from but also what it took us to get where we are now. Revisiting our journey to where we are reinforces our belief in ourselves and gives us more confidence to move ahead in the present and future.
This is one of the most important ways to build up momentum necessary to propel us from success to success .It is my personal experience. I always remember my roots and advise my children also to remain grounded to their roots .I do speak about the gratitude I feel for my parents and for all of the people who contributed to my success and fulfillment
Keep yourself grounded and never forget the struggle that has taken you to the privileged position you are in. Remain cognizant of your roots this will help you remain grounded and humble.
The one enemy that all of you need to watch out for is getting too comfortable with your own self. Don?t ever be so. It will impede your growth.
Another obstruction in your smooth growth would be your EGO a very troublesome monster that it is. Don't ever allow it to dig its insidious claws deep into you. Curb it else It will bring doom not boon.. It will keep you away from realities and from your roots.
Remaining cognizant of your roots, your struggle upward and of your core values will help you to be grounded and humble. It will keep you away from ego. It has helped me indeed.
Marcus Garvey an orator for the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements so nicely puts it "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. "
Learning Points
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Be aware of your roots---it will keep you reminded of the struggle you had to reach the position you have attained
- It keeps you grounded and teaches you what humility is all about
- Be proud of your roots, they are the foundation of your life
- Work hard to achieve your dreams but never forget where you came from
- Forgetting your roots will only lead you further from sweet home .
- Never forget you may have to go back someday.
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